Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-14


his easel, in a garnet in Naples. ab-
sorbed In earnest contemplation of
work he had just completed.
Il know well enough, said he, with
his hand to his brow, ''that there is no
lack of genius here. | might even Law
me down at once and die, and my name
would be rescued forever from obliv-
ion"
Ribera had tasted the full bitterness
of genius unrewarded, and stern poy-
erty had been his lot Had he chosen
to lower his ideal and paint for the
taste of those whose only idea of pic
ture consisted in that it should be of
great size and contain plenty of bright
paint, he might have coined money
But scorning this Ribera remained
poor and proud.
He was still in the full glow of en-
thusiasm, when the door of his studio
opened, and a little, shriveled old
dame shuffled in, bearing wooden
trencher with a very spare meal upon
it, and laid it down upon one side.
But finding that the painter took no
notice of her, she at last tried to make
him conscious of her presence.
when | heard you talking so loud
ly as | came up stairs" she said, Il
thought | should find a real customer
here. But | don't wonder no one will
buy such picture as that" she con-
tinued, pointing disdainfully at the
canvas on the easel; for it must be re-
marked that old Beatrix shared the
prejudice of many of her masters
critics.
at is truly lamentable, good Bea-
trix, that it does not please thee, said
Ribera, patting her gently on the
shoulder.
''Itis much more lamentable to think
that you are minded to die of hunger"
replied the old dame. ''Scanty as your
dinner is to-day, | only hope you may
have as good tomorrow; but before
that can happen you must give me the
means, for mine are all gone. And
yet you will always be saying that YOU
could be rich if you liked! Why have you
not finished that portrait for the Coun-
tess of Verona? lady who would
fairly have covered the canvas with
gold for you, and secured for you the
patronage of the viceroy himself It
might have been the making of your
Don't talk to me of that woman,
Beatrix," said Ribera, with a gesture
of contempt, ''with her modish face
and her lack-luster eye. Ah if had
the young girl to copy whom | met
awhile ago, / would have painted her
with ecstasy"
You are a fool" said the old serv-
ing-woman; "happily for you, your
friends have not lost their wits, but
have been thinking far more of your
welfare than you yourself have. Come,
dress yourself now, and 90 and find
out Christopher Panolfo; he is waiting
for you"
''Who is this man?"
Zone of the richest merchants in
Naples"
Il know him not"
.'But he knows you WELL They have
been talking to him about you; he has
an excellent opinion of your talents, and
wants to order picture of you. This
is as good as ready money; will you
reject this too, as well as the rest
mo, certainly not, said Ribera.
eff this Panolfo is Judge, and will
take the trouble to come to me, he will,
beyond all doubt, set a respectable
price on this masterpiece before u.s."
''What! you will not even call upon
him?"
Ribera coolly turned to the window
and shrugged his shoulders.
mop This is past all bearing" cried
BeatriX, with the greatest indignation,
as she planted herself before him with
an almost threatening air. Il tell you
plainly, you must 90 to Panolfo.
Ribera shook his head.
GsAb coo Cb IT yo,,,C+
coax you to obedience. This shows
you angry at first by speaking i'll of
your painting, you must forgive me,
and go to Panolfo. Here is your
sword, and here your hat, which be-
comes you immensely when you just
perch it little on one side, so. You
may hide your jerkin beneath your
mantle, for it as q little too shabby to
be seen in open daylight"
Still chattering on, as If she would
never cease, Beatrix waited only till
the artist had finished attiring himself,
and then, thrusting him out of the
room, she gave him one more volley of
encouragement as he descended the
stairs.
s'When you arrive at the other end
of the town ask for the merchant
Panolfo. Mind you do not forget his
name; he lives in the grand square
nearly opposite the palace of the
viceroy. Fare We well, and bring me
back all the good news you can"
Arrived at Panolfo's house, two of
the servants conducted Ribera into a
richly furnished apartment, which af-
forded superb view of the spacious
garden adjoining it, and of the blue
Mediterranean in the distance, A
middle-aged grandee, corpulent, with
dull and vulgar cast of countenance,
paced, yawning, up and down the
room. At an open window sat a young
girl, her head resting on her hand,
eagerly drinking in the delicious peg
fume of the orange grove and the
breezy aroma of the sea. Ribera
made his salutation on entering, but
the moment his eye rested on the
maiden's face he became agitated and
lost his usual calm self-posSession; for
at once he recognized the beautiful
being of whom not long since he had
been speaking to BeatriN. So con-
fused was he at this sudden encounter,